Just a reminder when you talk about "coping" strategies for the pandemic, self reflect a little on the classism and ableism in your recommendations. Spend time outside? I'm allergic to that. Cook something nice? My food list is 5 foods. Have a drink? I can't 1/
A friend contacted me upset that her unis chats about coping all counted on 1. Having money to buy Netflix or puzzles or fun materials for hobbies and 2. Being able to work out, go outside, be active, enjoy the "simple things" 2/
We both have #MCAS. Neither of us can go outside, we're allergic to the sun, we're allergic to most foods, definitely to alcohol, and we both have chronic pain and fainting symptoms. We don't take things for granted, because we're trying to survive. 3/
Our biggest worries in life aren't about being bored, or about wanting to see other people. We isolate because we have to all the time bc the world is inaccessible. Because our Drs have run out of answers. Bc were trying to keep going in a world that doesn't care. 4/
And it's incredibly upsetting to hear other people talk about coping on a totally different scale. If your coping isn't taking into account people's resources and abilities, don't bother to invite disabled people to those discussions 5/
Right now I'm waiting to get the green light for a feeding tube because I've lost almost twenty lbs in three months from malnutrition and gastroparesis. I'm not worried about being lonely. I'm worried about dying. 6/
We don't want to hear coping strategies that aren't founded on Crip strategies. It's a waste of our time. And then when we admit we can't do those things you fall silent. Or youre insensitive and we feel more alone. If you don't want to tackle your own ableism, kindly fuck off 7/
